Traditionsick
Change is usually threatening, yet its results can be tremendous. Jesus had an encounter about change with disciples of John the Baptist; and an accusation was made against His ministry. First, Jesus’ disciples were
criticized for breaking tradition—“Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” (Matthew 9:14) It was the Pharisees who started the criticism: “The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink.” (Luke 5:33) John’s disciples got used to stir up trouble. Second, Jesus’ disciples were defended for breaking new ground—“Neither is new wine put into old wineskins.” (v. 17) It wasn’t a time for fasting: Jesus’ disciples were “the wedding guests.” (v. 15) Fasting was associated with sadness and mourning for loss, a time for intense prayer. John was in prison at this time. It was good for his disciples to fast. But with Jesus present, there was joy, not sorrow. Jesus illustrated that the old is inadequate for the new. New cloth is too much for old cloth to handle. (v. 16) New cloth will shrink when washed—Problem! The patch will tear away from the old cloth. New circumstances call for new practices. New wine is too powerful for old wineskins because of the pressure it produces during the fermentation process. (v. 17) Animal skins were used because of their elasticity. Fermentation pressure stretched the skin, and a previously stretched wineskin no longer had elasticity and ruptured. New circumstances call for new practices. Christians of all eras need pay attention to an important truth: The message of the cross remains unchanged through all ages but the methods of ministry must change. That which is effective within one culture, can be counterproductive in reaching another. We must consider what will effectively win or minister to the current generation.
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.
